(Ottawa) Kamala Harris’ entry into the presidential race is likely to have little tangible impact on Canada. On the symbolic level, however, it’s another story.
What there is to know
Minister François-Philippe Champagne, who is crisscrossing the United States in anticipation of the presidential election, does not expect a major change of direction with the arrival of Kamala Harris.
The current vice-president studied in Montreal for a few years, graduating from Westmount High School in 1981.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh welcomed her arrival, calling her a major inspiration for racialized women and girls in North America.
“Obviously, it will be up to the Democratic Party to choose who will be the candidate for the Democratic nomination, but it is certain that in Mme Harris, we have an ally,” said the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, on Monday.
The current vice-president having completed part of her education in Montreal, she understands “the strategic nature of the relationship”, in addition to having a “special place in her heart for Canada”, he argued in a conference call from the United Kingdom.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman also mentions this aspect. In his experience, north of the border, people are often sensitive to what American leaders know and think about Canada.
The possible nomination of Kamala Harris, who was supported by President Joe Biden and a host of Democrats, is therefore “unique” in this sense, explains the former diplomat in an interview, still very influential and active in Democratic circles.
PHOTO OLIVIER PONTBRIAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Bruce Heyman, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada
The love she retains from her years in Canada will shine through.
Bruce Heyman, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada
That’s not quite the view of Louise Blais, who served as Canada’s consul general in Atlanta and as Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations. She says Harris’s account of her Canadian experience is a bit too romanticized.
“She doesn’t talk about it too much. We don’t really get the impression that she has kept very strong ties, and that it could really be a card that we can play,” she argues in a telephone interview.
Trudeau and Poilievre cautious, Singh delighted
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has not provided a response to Kamala Harris’s emergence as a candidate, nor has Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s office, which has yet to comment on Joe Biden’s withdrawal.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was pleased to see the outcome, but took no credit for President Biden, whose record on protecting workers’ rights he praised.
But it was his heart as a father, and his experience as a racialized politician, that he wanted to let speak on Monday. “I am a proud father of two daughters, and for them, the fact that a racialized woman can access the presidency of the most powerful country in the world is huge,” he said.
“The inspiration that it represents is incredible,” he rejoiced via videoconference.
Towards continuity?
Even though Joe Biden’s announcement had the effect of a bomb, it’s a safe bet that in Ottawa, the government “was not taken by surprise,” believes Sandra Aubé, former chief of staff to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.
First, we guessed the situation of the 46e untenable president of the United States. Then, in the offices of power, lessons were learned from the unpredictable Trump era. “There was really a change in the way of working, it was 24 hours a day,” she relates.
And the potential impacts of this American earthquake would also be little felt on Canadian soil, since “Kamala Harris is a candidate of continuity,” says the woman who is now vice-president at Tact Conseil.
Yes, but be careful, adds Louise Blais, former Canadian diplomat.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Louise Blais, former Consul General of Canada in Atlanta and Ambassador of Canada to the United Nations
It will be necessary that [Kamala Harris] a kind of forward-looking platform; it won’t be able to spend the next few months defending Biden’s record.
Louise Blais, former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations
“What can she say differently on immigration? On the economy? We’ll have to watch that closely. We have to remember that she voted against CUSMA [nouvel ALENA] in 20201 “, says the woman who now works at the Canadian Business Council.
What is certain is that the Trudeau government will have to build or strengthen ties with Kamala Harris’ inner circle. The two have nevertheless had bilateral exchanges in recent years, the most recent dating back to last May.
“Leaders always have a small circle. We will have to see how to work more with M’s circleme Harris. But for the rest, for the overall strategy, it is already well underway,” notes Sandra Aubé, referring to the “Team Canada” offensive, of which Minister Champagne is an important player.
Trump’s Running Mate Within Reach of a Conservative
Would a government led by Pierre Poilievre be able to work constructively with a potential Harris administration? “The biggest threat to the Canada-U.S. relationship is Donald Trump. It’s not a change of government in Canada, whether it’s Conservative or Liberal,” answers former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman. Strong ties already exist between a high-profile new Conservative Party of Canada candidate, Jamil Jivani, and Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance. “We became such good friends that I ended up reading the Bible at his wedding,” he told the National PostOntario MP Jivani on his relationship with JD Vance2.
1. Read the article “Here are the 10 senators who voted against Trump’s North American trade deal” (in English)
2. Read the article “Jamil Jivani: JD Vance, My friend the hillbilly” (in English)